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Events listed here are open to the public and sponsored by nonprofit groups unless otherwise noted. Press releases may be sent to Goings on, Gloucester Daily Times, 36 Whittemore St., Gloucester, MA 01930, sent via email to gdt@gloucestertimes.com or faxed to 978-282-4397. Items can also be dropped off at the police station. Please include a contact person's name and numbers.
Blood Drive
The American Red Cross and the Rockport Rotary Club are holding a blood drive to support the community blood supply on Friday, April 13, at the Rockport Community House, 58 Broadway, from 1 to 6 p.m. To make an appointment to donate, call 1-800-RE CROSS (1-800-733-2767). or visit: redcrossblood.org.
Clean-up!
The Rockport South End Association will hold its annual neighborhood clean-up on Saturday, April 14, from 9 to 11 a.m. Meet in front of Bruce and Marty Holdridge's house, 168 South St., Coffee and trash bags will be provided. For more information, call 978-546-9586.
Schools programs
The Rockport schools offers these programs this spring. Prepaid registration is required for all, and registration forms are available in the Rockport Public Library and all school offices. For more information, please call: Gini Nangle, Community Schools Manager, at 978-546-1204.
Fitness class with Martha Whelan; a full body workout for all ages, focusing on increasing overall strength, endurance and tone; Mondays and Wednesdays (six weeks, 12 sessions, $60, $48, seniors 60+) 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., in elementary school gym.
Creative writing with Ann McArdle; novel, memoir, short story structure, character development, class critiques and more; Tuesdays, 7 to 9 p.m. in the elementary school library. (Six sessions, $60) starts April 24.
Computer basics with Shelagh St.Laurent; Microsoft office skills; Word, Excel and PowerPoint, email, internet basics. Wednesdays, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Foster's Computer Lab (registration for 8 sessions, $120) started March 28.
Camera basics with Kathy Chapman: Introduction to digital photography; Wednesdays, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in high school library PC computer lab (4 sessions, $125) Starts April 25.
Online digital photo sharing with Coleen Magrath; Learn to download, edit, and turn photos into attachments, albums, collages, postings on Facebook and more. Mondays, 6 to 8 p.m. in high school library PC computer lab (4 weeks/sessions, $80) Starts April 30.
Yoga dance class
The Rockport Recreation Department offers a Kripalu Yoga Dance class, for all abilities and body types, Tuesdays, 6 to 7 p.m., April 24-May 15, at the Rockport Community House. Cost is $8 per class, $30 for the four-week session. Call 978-546-1309.
Old Sloop Coffeehouse
Old Sloop Coffeehouse will present a performance by Craig Bickhardt on Saturday, April 21, 7:30 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 12 School St. Bickhardt will be joined by his friend and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Don Henry. Rockport native Larry Ahearn will open the concert. Advance tickets are $10; visit www.oldsloopcoffeehouse.org, Gloucester Music in Gloucester or Toad Hall Bookstore in Rockport. Cost is $12 for adults, $7 for those 65 and older, $5 for those younger than 18, and $24 per family at the door. On-site babysitting during concerts is available. Call 978-546-3551.
Comedy, music show
The Rockport Council on Aging and Den Mar Rehabilitation and Nursing Center will co-sponsoring a comedy and music show with comedian Mel Simons on Friday, May 4, 7 p.m., at the Rockport Senior Center, 58 Broadway. Tickets are $5 and include complimentary dessert and coffee served from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Preregistration is required; call Diane Bertolino at 978-5460-2573.
Historical photos
Freda Collins, meal coordinator for SeniorCare, and Gil McCarthy, Rockport Council on Aging board member, will present a free video show of historical Rockport photos Friday, April 20, 7 p.m., at the Rockport Senior Center. The presentation will also compare and contrast old and new photos. All are invited, and guests are invited to bring photos. Preregistration is requested; call 978-546-2573.
Tennis registration
The Rockport Recreation Department will hold tennis registration Tuesday, May 1, 6 to 7 p.m., in the Rockport Elementary School cafeteria. Call Caitlin at 978-290-4343.
Open Door bowls
The Open Door invites guests to paint and decorate pottery bowls Wednesday, April 18, 1 to 3 p.m., at the Rockport Council of Aging, located at the Rockport Community House, 58 Broadway. All children and adults are welcome. Space is limited. Registration required; call 978-546-2573.
Empty Bowl dinner
The Open Door/Cape Ann Food Pantry's annual Empty Bowl Dinner will be held Thursday, May 10, 4 to 8 p.m., at Cruiseport Gloucester. The meal is simple soup, bread and cookie. Guests may choose and keep a hand-crafted "empty bowl" as an unspoken reminder of all those whose bowls are empty.
Balance screening
The Center for Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine of Addison Gilbert Hospital will offer a free balance screening Thursday, April 26, 1 to 2:30 p.m., at the Rockport Senior Center, 58 Broadway. Two physical therapists will screen participants for fall-risk on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointments are not necessary. Screenings take about 15 minutes. All are welcome. To register, call 978-236-1650 or stop by the Rockport Senior Center.
Boating course
A seven-week boating course, approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard and the state of Massachusetts, will be offered Tuesdays, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Sandy Bay Yacht Club, beginning May 1. The 14-hour introductory course is for both sail and power boaters. Topics include: navigation rules, chart work, GPS, marine radio, boat handling and trailering. Successfully completing the course meets the educational requirements for boat operation in all states. The course is free, but student materials cost $50 and may be shared. Open to all adults and children over 12, on a first-come basis. To register, call 978-546-3221.
Arts scholarship
The Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe has established a $500 scholarship to be awarded to a Cape Ann high school senior who has been accepted to a college theater arts program. Prerequisites include participation in high school drama programs and involvement in one CAST production. For an application, contact Ray Jenness at kjenness045@netzero.com or 73 High St., Rockport, MA 01966.
Story time
Story time, for children ages 3 to 5, is held every Tuesday, 10 a.m., in the Brenner Friends Room, Rockport Public Library. Doors open at 9:45 a.m. for preschoolers and their parents. The 45-minute program includes storytelling and a short film. The program runs through April 26. Call 978-546-6934.
RAA classes
The Rockport Art Association, 12 Main St., offers these classes and sketch groups in its studio:
Figure sketch group (short pose) meets Mondays, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Model takes several short poses progressing to 20 minutes. No instruction. $10. Meets year-round. No preregistration required. Peter DeNigris monitors. 508-662-9985.
Figure sketch group (long pose) meets Thursdays, 1 to 4 p.m. Adequate time to study subject and complete works of art. All mediums. No instruction. $10. No preregistration. Fred Jillson monitors. 978-281-5144.
Drivers for seniors
RSVP Volunteers of the North Shore seeks volunteer medical transportation drivers. SeniorCare is in need of volunteers from Gloucester and Rockport for local and out-of-town appointments. Volunteers choose when and how often they drive. Drivers are compensated. Call 978-281-1750.
History museum
The Sandy Bay Historical Society museum on King Street is open Mondays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., for research. Cost is $5 for nonmembers, free for members. Tours of the museum are also offered.
Tai Ji class
A tai ji class is held every Wednesday, 9 to 10:30 a.m., at Rockport Senior Center, on the second floor of the Community House. Taught by Meredith Morgan, the class is appropriate for beginners as well as those who have done tai ji in the past. Tai ji is a gentle movement class that benefits health and well-being.
Meditation class
The Vajramudra Center, 154 Granite St., holds free weekly meditation teaching and practice Tuesdays, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Call Larry Wolf at 617-869-0666.
Scholarship fund
The Linda Wieditz Scholarship Fund is accepting donations. A scholarship, given in memory of the much beloved music teacher in the Rockport Public Schools, is presented at the Rockport High School graduation each year to one or more graduates pursuing music studies in higher education. Checks, made payable to the "Linda Wieditz Memorial Scholarship," should be mailed to: Linda Wieditz Memorial Scholarship, P.O. Box 191, Rockport, MA 01966.
Casting Shakespeare
The Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe is casting for its fifth annual "Shakespeare Celebration" to commemorate the bard's birth date — April 23, 1564. The program consists of scenes from plays, sonnets and songs. This year's theme is clowns and comedy. Performances are April 27 and 28 at the Rockport Congregational Church's Old Sloop Coffeehouse, 12 School St. Anyone interested should email Joseph Stiliano at cast2008@prodigy.net.
Pathways volunteers
Pathways' Cape Ann Families seeks men and women to volunteer as parent mentors. The program has been running for 20 years, serving parents of the Cape Ann community who are experiencing stress or isolation. Volunteers are matched with parents, beginning year-long mentorships/friendships. Contact Hailey Granger at 978-281-2400, ext. 110, or hgranger@pw4c.org.
Video Club for teens
Cape Ann TV is enrolling middle and high school students in its After School Video Club. The program, led by staff member Lisa Smith, meets Tuesdays, 3 to 5 p.m., at Cape Ann TV Studio, 38 Blackburn Center. Throughout the school year, students learn both studio and field production, brainstorm scripts, produce short creative videos, and produce interview style programming. Students develop hands-on experience with equipment and learn all aspects of video production. All club-produced programming will be aired on Channel 12. The $20 fee includes a year's membership to CATV. To register, contact Lisa Smith at 978-281-2443 or: lsmith@CapeAnnTV.org.
Musicians sought
Rockport Legion Band, a community band founded in 1932, is a non-audition musical group that plays all year, and is looking for competent musicians who play traditional concert band instruments. Players who played well in high school or college, but have "lapsed" are especially welcome. To attend a rehearsal, email rockportband@gmail.com or call 978-546-6199. The band rehearses Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., at the American Legion Hall on Beach Street, Rockport. Visit www.rockportlegionband.wordpress.com.
Library home delivery
Rockport Public Library offers outreach services for local homebound residents. The outreach librarian delivers regular, large-print and audio books as well as periodicals and videos. Call 978-546-6934.
Rental, mortgage aid
Action Inc. has rental and mortgage assistance (TBRA/MBRA) money available from Rockport's Community Preservation Act (CPA) to help Rockport families and individuals facing financial hardships in keeping their housing. Call Stella at 978-282-1000, ext. 115, to check eligibility status.
Recovery programs
A variety of recovery programs meet weekly in Rockport.
Sunday — Alcoholics Anonymous "Women in Recovery" 2 to 3 p.m., First Congregational Church, School Street.
Monday — Alcoholics Anonymous, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 24 Broadway.
Tuesday — Alcoholics Anonymous step meeting, noon to 1 p.m., First Baptist Church of Rockport, 2 High St.; Alcoholics Anonymous, 7:30 p.m., First Congregational Church, School Street.
Wednesday — Al-Anon group, 7:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Rockport, 2 High St., for friends and relatives of people with alcoholism.
Thursday — Alcoholics Anonymous closed book meeting, noon to 1 p.m., Rockport Baptist Church, 2 High St. Alcoholics Anonymous "Men in Recovery" men's speaker discussion meeting, 7:30 p.m., United Methodist Church.
Friday — Alcoholics Anonymous, noon to 1 p.m., First Baptist Church of Rockport, 2 High St.
Saturday — Alcoholics Anonymous, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Rockport, 2 High St. (in July). AA meets at the First Congregational Church, School Street, the rest of the year.
Church lift
The First Baptist Church of Rockport offers free rides to church every Sunday for anyone living on Cape Ann. If you are interested in catching a ride, contact the church at 978-546-6121 or www.FirstBaptistRockport.org.
Amateur radio license course
The Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association will offer a "Tech in a Day" course, for those who wish to earn the FCC Tecnician Class Amateur Radio License, on Saturday, April 28, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Lanesville Community Center, 8 Vulcan St., Gloucester. To sign up, email Stan Stone at techinaday@caara.net. Visit www.caara.net.
T-Ball registration
The Rockport Recreation Department will hold T-Ball sign-ups, for children in kindergarten through grade two, Saturday. April 28, 8:30 to 10 a.m., at Evans Field. Admission is $20 for six weeks. Call Caitlin at 978-546-1309.
Free jewelry class
Joanne Wood of Rockport will offer a free jewelry class Thursday, April 19, 1 to 3 p.m., at the Rockport Senior Center, 58 Broadway. Participants may choose the jewelry they'd like to make and may keep the item at the end of the class at no cost. All are welcome. Preregistration requested; call 978-546-2573.
COA summer trips
This summer, the Rockport COA is offering two motor coach excursions to Boston; Thursday, June 21, for a Fenway Park tour, with lunch at the No Name Restaurant and a visit to the U.S.S. Constitution & Quincy Market; $69 per senior; and Wednesday, July 11, for a narrated cruise aboard the Spirit of Boston, including a delicious buffet, an entertaining musical show, and a visit to the North End; $69 per senior. For information/reservations, call Diane at 978-546-2573.
